School Experience Options

The School Experiences Office values the creation of reciprocal links with our educational partners while providing more diverse practicum opportunities for students.  We are pleased to provide students who are looking for experiences in northern communities, internationally, and in French immersion classrooms.

Please also review the Practicum Course Information webpage for important practicum requirements, policies, and forms.

Northern Practicum |  Lertlah International Program   |  French Immersion Cohort Practicum | Beyond Schools

Northern Practicum
  The School Experiences Office invites Teacher Candidates to participate in a unique practicum in the communities of Gillam and/or Norway House in Northern Manitoba’s Frontier School Division.

Frontier School Division hosts two practicum sites in both Gillam School in Gillam, Manitoba and Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Resource Centre in Norway House, Manitoba. Both schools are K-12. Both sites provide shared accommodations (at no cost to students). Interested Teacher Candidates would be required to commit to the placement for both blocks (Nov. to Dec. and March to April) and would be responsible for their own transportation, food, and costs. During the first week of school, the SEO will arrange for a practicum placement second-year Teacher Candidates in Winnipeg and will also provide a Frontier School Division Orientation session to provide more specific information about the division, placements, etc.
  Funding
The SEO will provide a $1,000 travel award to each successful applicant.
  Working in the North After Graduation
Hiring in Frontier School Division is community-based and conducted by a group of elected community members. The onsite administrator is only one vote out of approximately seven members. Showing initiative to conduct practicum in a Frontier School Division School is considered a positive for the applicant being considered by the hiring committee.
  Interested Teacher Candidates
Consider your commitment and your availability. Investigate costs, your budget, your work flexibility, your family commitments, etc. Research each school and town to consider which placement you prefer. Please do NOT do this by phoning the schools.
  Application Process
  • Provide an application package including a resume and letter of application indicating: why you are interested in a Frontier School Division placement, what you have to offer, and your preference of town (we will try to accommodate your first choice). Also include the names of three character references and their contact information. One should be a faculty member. DEADLINE: March 1st
  • The Director of School Experiences will review your year one Summative Evaluation (if you are a second year TC) to ensure that you have had a successful first practicum.
  • These above factors will inform a ranking of Teacher Candidates. This ranking, along with a consideration of availability of placements and group make-up will be considered by the SEO’s Northern Practicum Placement Committee in order to determine successful applicants and their placements.
  • Applicants will be contacted by the end of May. Successful applicants will be provided with the monetary award and a letter from the SEO acknowledging successful completion of the practicum.
If you have questions or if you want to submit an application, please contact Laura Orsak (Laura.Orsak@umanitoba.ca).
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Lertlah International Program

  Thailand Teaching and Cultural Experience
The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Education has had a partnership agreement with Lertlah International Program School (www.lertlah.com) in Bangkok, Thailand since June of 2001. Each year, a group of first year Teacher Candidates are selected to participate and travel with faculty advisors at the beginning of May until the end of July. Teacher Candidates work in a classroom with the support of a Thai teacher and some Teacher Candidates may be required to teach with a partner. Participants will experience the Thai culture and educational system. Coursework (including written assignments) is part of the program as decided by the faculty advisors. Participants must also take part in pre-departure sessions and debriefing session in Thailand with the faculty advisor(s). Priority will be given to Year 1 Teacher Candidates. Students in Year 2 may apply, but if selected, will have to register with Extended Education as the course offering falls after the graduation date.
  Pre-requisites and Credit
Teacher Candidates considering this program should arrange to take their 3 credit hours of Special Education/Diversity in Year 1, specifically EDUA 1540 – Cross Cultural Education or EDUB 1620 – Principles and Procedures of Second Language Teaching.

There are some Year 1 Senior Years teacher candidates who may be able to use the 3 credit hours as an elective in the Summer Session, but for the majority of Year 1 students, this course cannot be used as part of the B.Ed. Program.  However, if successfully completed, 3 credits may be used towards a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education (PBDE) within nine years.  Depending on your course-load, you may need to meet with an Academic Advisor to fit this program into your schedule. 

  Manitoba Affiliated School
The Lertlah Schools have approximately 3000 students in three campuses from Kindergarten to Grade 9.  The schools offer the Canadian-Manitoba curriculum in both our International English Program (80% English/20% Thai) and English Program (50% English/50% Thai).  The school is inspected by the Province of Manitoba.
  Cost
Participants will be provided with transportation to and from Thailand and twin and/or single apartment accommodations at one of the Lertlah campuses in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants are responsible for other costs. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be provided with a $3,000 (Canadian funds) stipend if they teach individually or with a stipend of $1,500 (Canadian funds) if they team teach.
  Working Internationally After Graduation
Many new teachers are choosing to explore the option of teaching outside of Canada after graduation.  Participation in this program can give teacher candidates a “taste” of teaching internationally with the supports of University of Manitoba faculty advisors and colleagues in a collaborative and safe environment.  To learn more about international Manitoba affiliated schools please consult the Province of Manitoba’s website at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/iep/aff_schools.html 
  Interested Teacher Candidates
Students need not have travelled abroad to be considered for this program.  Teacher candidates considering applying should be flexible, reflective, adaptable, and open to diversity and new experiences. Lertlah School is a K-Grade 9 School and teacher candidates from any stream may apply, but must be prepared to teach at any grade level and a range of subjects. You do not need to speak Thai and before leaving Canada, as part of the pre-departure sessions, participants review Thai culture and key phrases, along with EAL issues.
  Application Process
  • Teacher Candidates are invited to attend an information session scheduled in the fall of each year.
  • Complete an application (pdf)
  • Provide two (2) reference letters speaking to your suitability for the program. Include the names and contact information of your references on the applications.
  • The Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) and review committee will review your application and you will be contacted for an in-person interview in December.
  • Applicants will be contacted a waiting list may be created.
  If you have questions or if you want to submit an application, please contact Laura Orsak (Laura.Orsak@umanitoba.ca).
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Facilitated French Immersion Practicum (Pilot)
 

The purpose of the Facilitated French Immersion Practicum (FFIP) is to support Teacher Candidates who have undergone the Service de perfectionnement linguistiques (SPL) but who have received a “Plan de Perfectionnement” recommendation, rather than a clear pass. 

Teacher Candidates interested in the FFIP will be required to take the Test de Compétences Orales et Écrites as administered by Université de Saint-Boniface (USB). Teacher Candidates who receive a “Plan de Perfectionnement” are eligible to apply to the program, and must submit an application letter en français to the School Experiences Office prior to consideration for the program. They must also be registered in one of the three USB courses currently offered at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Education. Once accepted to the FFIP, Teacher Candidates must participate in an orientation session held at the University of Manitoba by the USB faculty member (or representative) and the Director of the School Experiences Office. Successful Teacher Candidates will receive support from the USB Faculty Advisor who will encourage their development in French Language skills and will participate in in-school seminars with their Cooperating Teachers hosted by Faculty Advisors. All communication and assignments within the practicum are expected to be in French.
  Interested Teacher Candidates
The Teacher Candidates selected for this experience would be those that volunteer, demonstrate an interest in pursuing French Immersion experiences and developing teaching competency, and who have either passed the USB test or received a “Plan de Perfectionnement”. The Teacher Candidates may be in year one or two of the two-year Bachelor of Education program. Interested Teacher Candidates should express interest in the Facilitated French Immersion Practicum when applying for their practicum placement.
  Advantages
We hope that there are advantages for all partners involved, including:
  • Developing knowledge and understanding of immersion programming,
  • Increasing confidence in speaking and working professionally in French,
  • Understanding the complexities in French Immersion teaching and learning,
  • Having an exposure to options available for improving French (programs, courses, exchanges), professional development experiences in French,
  • Developing an understanding of and sharing strategies for instruction in French Immersion, and
  • Challenging norms of French Immersion instruction.
Application Process
Interested TCs must provide a letter of application en français indicating why they are interested in the Facilitated French Immersion Practicum.  DEADLINE: March 1st
Resources for Teacher Candidates Wanting to Improve Their French Language Proficiency
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Beyond Schools: Teaching and Learning in Community-Based Settings (EDUB 1840; 3 credit hours)

This course, usually held in the May and June, provides a community-based field experience for teacher candidate. Students will attend a weekly seminar and spend approximately 12-15 hours per week for six weeks at a host site. The focus of the course is to consider, challenge, and broaden understandings of education, curriculum, and pedagogy within the context of social justice. Host site examples include, but are not limited to, arts programs, nature reserves, centres for new Canadians, youth programs.

Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course include:
  • learning about the role, purpose and structure of community-based organizations
  • engaging critically with understandings of education, teaching and learning within community-based settings
  • considering appropriate curriculum and pedagogy in community settings that respects students, their cultures, identities, and agency
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